Mammosite HDR Brachytherapy - Jane L Kakkis, MD, MPH
Dr Kakkis is one of the most dedicated and skilled breast cancer surgeons operating in the United States. Her love of the fine arts informs her work as a surgeon. Her patients are well assured that Dr Kakkis approaches her work diligently to assure the best cancer outcome and with the utmost concern for the aesthetic results. She has developed her own specialized techniques to restore the contour of the partially resected breast. Her unique approach to caring for her patients as individuals goes beyond the surgery itself and incorporates all aspects of their well being.
- Mammosite is the name of a special catheter designed for ease of delivery of high-dose-rate radiation to the breast after lumpectomy.
- The treatment allows for radiation to be placed in the area of the lumpectomy, and only a limited area of the total breast receives radiation.
- The treatment is administered twice a day for five days, then the catheter is easily removed.
- Radiation is delivered to the area surrounding the excised tumor and not to the entire breast.
- The treatment is much shorter than traditional external beam radiation to the entire breast, but fewer women qualify for this type of treatment.
Patient Selection Criteria
- Currently the recommended patient age is over 45 years old.
- The tumor size can be variable, but under 3 cm is suggested.
- At our center, we use only mammosite when there is no lymph node involvement. Clinical trials are evaluating the safety of use for women with positive lymph nodes.
- Mammmosite is not generally used for patients with metastatic disease.
- The use of mammosite for ductal carcinomas is preferred to lobular type carcinomas.
Click the images below to see a full-size version and an explaination of the process.